DOCSLIB.ORG

New Zealand's Green Party and Foreign Troop Deployments: Views, Values and Impacts

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
New Zealand's Green Party and Foreign Troop Deployments: Views, Values and Impacts New Zealand's Green Party and Foreign Troop Deployments: Views, Values and Impacts By Simon Beuse A Thesis Submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Political Science School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations Victoria University of Wellington 2010 Content List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................................. 3 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 5 2 New Zealand‘s Foreign Affairs .......................................................................................... 9 2.1 Public Perceptions ....................................................................................................... 9 2.2 History ....................................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Key Relationships ...................................................................................................... 11 2.4 The Nuclear Issue ...................................................................................................... 12 2.5 South Pacific .............................................................................................................. 14 2.6 Help in Numbers: The United Nations ...................................................................... 15 2.7 Defence Reform 2000 ................................................................................................ 16 2.8 Iraq War ..................................................................................................................... 18 3 The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand ...................................................................... 20 3.1 History ....................................................................................................................... 20 3.2 The Values Party ....................................................................................................... 20 3.3 The Alliance Years .................................................................................................... 22 3.4 The Green Party ......................................................................................................... 23 3.5 Visions, Values and Principles .................................................................................. 24 3.6 Multilateralism ........................................................................................................... 26 3.7 Use of Force ............................................................................................................... 27 4 East Timor ......................................................................................................................... 29 4.1 The Era of Colonisation ............................................................................................. 29 4.2 Indonesian Invasion 1975 .......................................................................................... 30 4.3 ASEAN and the Case of East Timor ......................................................................... 30 4.4 Referendum and Crisis 1999 ..................................................................................... 33 4.5 Peace keeping and State building .............................................................................. 35 4.6 New Zealand‘s Influence ........................................................................................... 39 4.7 The Aftermath: New Zealand‘s Defence Reform ...................................................... 44 4.8 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 47 5 Solomon Islands ................................................................................................................ 49 5.1 History ....................................................................................................................... 49 5.2 RAMSI ....................................................................................................................... 52 5.3 Reasons and Justification ........................................................................................... 53 1 5.4 International Cooperation .......................................................................................... 55 5.5 New Zealand‘s Interest in the South Pacific ............................................................. 58 5.6 New Zealand‘s Influence on RAMSI ........................................................................ 60 5.7 Australian Influence on RAMSI ................................................................................ 62 5.8 Beyond RAMSI ......................................................................................................... 64 5.9 Competing Systems of Governance .......................................................................... 65 5.10 Criticism .................................................................................................................... 67 5.11 The Immunity Issue ................................................................................................... 68 5.12 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 70 6 Afghanistan ....................................................................................................................... 72 6.1 Background ................................................................................................................ 72 6.2 Domestic debates ....................................................................................................... 73 6.3 The Alliance .............................................................................................................. 76 6.4 Justification and Legitimacy ...................................................................................... 78 6.5 The Bonn Agreement and NATO .............................................................................. 80 6.6 New Zealand‘s Involvement ...................................................................................... 82 6.7 SAS 2001-2005 .......................................................................................................... 84 6.8 US FTA NZ ............................................................................................................... 87 6.9 Public Opinion ........................................................................................................... 88 6.10 Impacts on New Zealand‘s Domestic Legislation ..................................................... 89 6.11 Waihopai .................................................................................................................... 91 6.12 SAS 2009-2011 .......................................................................................................... 95 6.13 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 99 7 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 101 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................... 107 2 List of Abbreviations AIA – Afghan Interim Administration ATA – Afghan Transitional Authority APEC – Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ASEAN – Association of Southeast Asian Nations ADF – Australian Defence Force ANZUS – Australia, New Zealand, and United States Security Treaty ASPI – Australia Strategic Policy Institute CEP – Closer Economic Partnership CER – Closer Economic Relation LTDP – Defence Long-term Development Plan DSI – Defence Sustainability Initiative ETPS – East Timor Police Service EAPC – Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council EEC – European Economic Community FFP – First Past the Post FTA – Free Trade Agreement GCSB – Government Communications Security Bureau GDP – Gross Domestic Product GNI – Gross National Income GRA – Guadalcanal Revolutionary Army ISC – Intelligence and Security Committee ICC – International Criminal Court INTERFET – International Force for East Timor IMF – International Monetary Fund ISAF – International Security Assistance Force MEF – Malaita Eagle Force MFAT – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade MMP – Mixed Member Proportional MAP – Mutual Assistance Programme NSA – National Security Archive NGO – Non-Governmental Organisations NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 3 NZ SAS – New Zealand Special Air Service PIF – Pacific Island Forum PAP – People‘s Alliance Party PRT – Provincial Reconstruction Team RAMSI – Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands RMA – Resource Management Act FRETILIN – Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor RSIP – Royal Solomon Islands Police SPF – South Pacific Forum SPNFZ – South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty SAS – Special Air Service TNI – Tentara Nasional Indonesia UDT – Timorese Democratic Union TPA – Townsville Peace Agreement TSA – Terrorism Suppression Act UN – United Nations UNAMA – United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMET – UN Assistance Mission in East Timor UN-DPKO – UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations UNMIT – United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Chapter 13: New Zealand
    579 CAN MR ZAOUI FREELY CROSS THE FORESHORE AND SEABED? THE EFFECTIVENESS OF UN HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING MECHANISMS IN NEW ZEALAND Jasper Krommendijk* This article analyses the impact and effectiveness of the most important international monitoring mechanism for New Zealand's international human rights obligations, which is the process of State reporting under United Nations human rights treaties by committees of experts. This article concludes that the organisation of this process in New Zealand has improved since the mid-2000s and that domestic actors, such as the New Zealand Human Rights Commission and non- governmental organisations, have become more involved. There is, however, no structural follow-up to the recommendations of the supervisory United Nations committees, and as a result they often remain largely ineffective. This article will explain why the reporting process under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is considerably more effective. Former Minister of Justice, the Hon Simon Power, stated that New Zealand's "record on human rights is among the best in the world".1 Likewise, the New Zealand Human Rights Commission * PhD researcher, Maastricht University. Email: [email protected]. This article is part of a more extensive PhD research project that is being conducted from November 2009 until March 2014 and that focuses on the impact and effectiveness of State reporting in the Netherlands, New Zealand and Finland. The author was a visiting researcher at Victoria University of Wellington in June 2012. He would like to thank Dr Petra Butler, Dr Bevan Marten, Professor Janet McLean and Peter Shuttleworth for their valuable comments on an earlier version.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2012
    A.2 Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2012 Parliamentary Service Commission Te Komihana O Te Whare Pāremata Presented to the House of Representatives pursuant to Schedule 2, Clause 11 of the Parliamentary Service Act 2000 About the Parliamentary Service Commission The Parliamentary Service Commission (the Commission) is constituted under the Parliamentary Service Act 2000. The Commission has the following functions: • to advise the Speaker on matters such as the nature and scope of the services to be provided to the House of Representatives and members of Parliament; • recommend criteria governing funding entitlements for parliamentary purposes; • recommend persons who are suitable to be members of the appropriations review committee; • consider and comment on draft reports prepared by the appropriations review committees; and • to appoint members of the Parliamentary Corporation. The Commission may also require the Speaker or General Manager of the Parliamentary Service to report on matters relating to the administration or the exercise of any function, duty, or power under the Parliamentary Service Act 2000. Membership The membership of the Commission is governed under sections 15-18 of the Parliamentary Service Act 2000. Members of the Commission are: • the Speaker, who also chairs the Commission; • the Leader of the House, or a member of Parliament nominated by the Leader of the House; • the Leader of the Opposition, or a member of Parliament nominated by the Leader of the Opposition; • one member for each recognised party that is represented in the House by one or more members; and • an additional member for each recognised party that is represented in the House by 30 or more members (but does not include among its members the Speaker, the Leader of the House, or the Leader of the Opposition).
    [Show full text]
  • Phd Literature Review
    Measuring Media Coverage of Electricity Public Policy in New Zealand for the period 2006-2007 : A new approach Jeanette Susan Elley A thesis submitted to Auckland University of Technology in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 2014 Institute of Public Policy Faculty of Culture and Society Primary Supervisor : Marilyn J. Waring Second Supervisor: L. Grant Duncan Contents Contents 2 List of Figures 5 List of Tables 10 List of Example Articles 11 Attestation of Authorship 12 Acknowledgements 13 Abstract 14 Chapter 1 – Introduction 16 1.1 Overview 16 1.2 Fields of Investigation 20 1.3 Chapter Guide 23 Chapter 2 – Literature Review 24 2.1 Introduction 24 2.2 Media Context 24 2.3 Political Economy and Electricity 53 2.4 Comparable Studies 83 2.5 Conclusion 100 Chapter 3 – Categorisation Framework 102 3.1 Introduction 102 3.2 Constructing the Categorisation Framework 103 3.3 Issues Affecting the Electricity Sector 119 3.4 Combined Influences on Electricity Sector Policy 126 3.5 Comparisons with Other Models 128 3.6 Conclusion 140 2 Chapter 4 – Research Design 142 4.1 Introduction 142 4.2 Methodology 144 4.3 Research Process 159 4.4 Categorisation 181 4.5 Key Indicators 213 4.6 Processing Features 227 4.7 Article Selection 256 4.8 Conclusion 272 Chapter 5 – Data 273 5.1 Overview 273 5.2 Topic Set Results 279 5.3 Case Study Results 309 5.4 Parameter Set Results 328 5.5 Conclusion 351 Chapter 6 – Discussion 355 6.1 Introduction 355 6.2 Addressing Thesis Questions 356 6.3 Case Study Analysis 363 6.4 Other
    [Show full text]
  • Socialist Worker Monthly Review #8 • June 2003 • $2 As Labour Bows to Bush & Business
    Socialist Worker Monthly Review #8 • June 2003 • $2 As Labour bows to Bush & business... UNI STUDENTS KINLEITH MILL WORKERS PALESTINIAN HUMAN RIGHTS SUPPORTERS WEST COAST MINERS UNIVERSITY STAFF PEACE & JUSTICE CAMPAIGNERS People stand up for peace & justice Socialist Worker Monthly Review June 2003 1 What’s on of the owners have their own public, right- wing political agendas. Who owns our news Auckland media and does it mater? Presented by Bill Palestine / Israel, rally for peace Rosenberg. Support justice and peace, based on re- Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, moval of Israeli Occupation, right of re- Grey Lynn. Tuesday, June 17, 2003 at turn for refugees, sharing Jerusalem, ces- 7:30pm. GPJA Organising Committee will sation of Jewish-only settlements in occu- be at 6:30pm, before the forum, at the pied Palestine. Unite Office, Trades Hall. Anyone willing WHO SAYS? Aotea Square (Queen St, Auckland), to help is welcome. 2pm, Saturday June 7. Organised by Pal- “There was no doubt in my mind as estine Human Rights Committee. Phone I went through the intelligence... David Wakim 520 0201. the evidencec was overwhelming Fourth of July that they had continued to develop Aceh—the New East Timor? The Fourth of July is US Independ- these programmes.” The political background, the human ence Day. This year it will be a global Colin Powell, US secretary of state. rights crisis and how New Zealand can day of protest against the US occupa- help. Speakers include Margaret Taylor tion of Afghanistan and Iraq and their “In intelligence there is one (Amnesty International), Maire military threats against Iran, Syria and unpardonable sin – cooking Leadbeater (Indonesia Human Rights Cuba.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Leadership—Perspectives and Practices
    Public Leadership Perspectives and Practices Public Leadership Perspectives and Practices Edited by Paul ‘t Hart and John Uhr Published by ANU E Press The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200, Australia Email: [email protected] This title is also available online at: http://epress.anu.edu.au/public_leadership _citation.html National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Title: Public leadership pespectives and practices [electronic resource] / editors, Paul ‘t Hart, John Uhr. ISBN: 9781921536304 (pbk.) 9781921536311 (pdf) Series: ANZSOG series Subjects: Leadership Political leadership Civic leaders. Community leadership Other Authors/Contributors: Hart, Paul ‘t. Uhr, John, 1951- Dewey Number: 303.34 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Cover design by John Butcher Images comprising the cover graphic used by permission of: Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development Australian Associated Press Australian Broadcasting Corporation Scoop Media Group (www.scoop.co.nz) Cover graphic based on M. C. Escher’s Hand with Reflecting Sphere, 1935 (Lithograph). Printed by University Printing Services, ANU Funding for this monograph series has been provided by the Australia and New Zealand School of Government Research Program. This edition © 2008 ANU E Press John Wanna, Series Editor Professor John Wanna is the Sir John Bunting Chair of Public Administration at the Research School of Social Sciences at The Australian National University. He is the director of research for the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).
    [Show full text]
  • Form to Email
    To: Bee: Subject: NZ Superannuation Fund enquiry Date: Thursday, 6 December 2012 4: 10:53 PM Attachments: Guardians Final response to Israel petition.pdf Dea . , Thank you for your email via our website. Your comments have been noted and passed on to our Chairman and CEO. I have attached a copy of the Guardians' response to the petition and FYI the Committee's report is available at http://www parliament nz/NR/rdonlyres/60EEA9A7-4218-473F-BCFF- 2347E483EBEB/244228/DBSCH $CR 5595 Petjtjon2008143ofLojsGrjffithsand38 pdf We expect to be in a position to respond more fully to your email next week. In future, please feel free to contact me directly on the details below. Best regards Catherine Etheredge Catherine Etheredge Head of Communications DDI: Mobile: Email: A Great Team Building the Best Portfolio PO Box 106 607, Auckland 1143, New Zealand Level 12, Zurich House, 21 Queen Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand Office: +64 9 300 6980 I Fax: +64 9 300 6981 I Web: www.nzsuperfund.co.nz From: formmail@digitaistream co oz [mailto·formmail@digitaistream co oz] Sent: Thursday, 29 November 2012 2:53 p.m. To: Enquiries Subject: Query from website Form to Email Form to email received the following values Name - Company Optional Phone email from Contact Email me by Website feedback Responsible Investment Query re Responsible Investment Dear NZ Superfund, Please send this message to the Board or at least to the Chair. In September 2011,ex-MP Keith Locke presented a petition to Parliament, ■■■■■I asking for Parliament to ask the Guardians of Superfund to divest ow ve een to t at t e ommerce ommIttee as reJecte e pe 1 I0n.
    [Show full text]
  • Where Our Voices Sound Risky Business See More Seymour
    Where Our Voices Sound Risky Business See More Seymour Helen Yeung chats with Mermaidens (not the Jordan Margetts takes on Facebook, the Herald Meg Williams delves deep on a dinner date with Harry Potter kind) and that office sex scandal the ACT Party Leader [1] ISSUE ELEVEN CONTENTS 9 10 NEWS COMMUNITY NORTHLAND GRAVE A CHOICE VOICE ROBBING? An interview with the strong Unfortunately for Split Enz, it women behind Shakti Youth appears that history does repeat 13 14 LIFESTYLE FEATURES SHAKEN UP MORE POWER TO THE PUSSY Milkshake hotspots to bring more than just boys to your A look into the growing yard feminist porn industry 28 36 ARTS COLUMNS WRITERS FEST WRAP-UP BRING OUT THE LIONS! Craccum contributors review Mark Fullerton predicts the some literary luminaries outcomes of the forthcoming Lions Series [3] 360° Auckland Abroad Add the world to your degree Auckland Abroad Exchange Programme Application Deadline: July 1, 2017 for exchange in Semester 1, 2018 The 360° Auckland Abroad student exchange programme creates an opportunity for you to complete part of your University of Auckland degree overseas. You may be able to study for a semester or a year at one of our 130 partner universities in 25 countries. Scholarships and financial assistance are available. Come along to an Auckland Abroad information seminar held every Thursday at 2pm in iSPACE (level 4, Student Commons). There are 360° of exciting possibilities. Where will you go? www.auckland.ac.nz/360 [email protected] EDITORIAL Catriona Britton Samantha Gianotti The F-Word Margaret Atwood’s 1985 dystopian novel The in a later interview that the show is “obvious- ain’t about race, man.
    [Show full text]
  • Submissions on Wellington Regional Pedestrian Strategy
    Attachment to Report 04.241 Submissions on Wellington Regional Pedestrian Strategy Submitter Celia Wade-Brown and Mike Mellor - Living Streets Aotearoa I Brian Roberts, New Zealand Automobile Association Ihc Lindsay Daysh, Transit New Zealand Janet McKay, Regional Public Health 5 Stephen Rainbow, Wellington City Council 6 Sherilyn Hinton, Kapiti Coast District Council 7 Diane Morris 8 Rachel Brown 9 Porirua City Council 10 Greater Wellington Regional Council Living Streets Aotearoa L www.livingstreets.org.nz PO Box 11 -663 Wellington March 2004 Dear MS McConnell and members of Greater Wellington Regional Council, On behalf of Living Streets Aotearoa, thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on Greater Wellington’s draft Pedestrian Strategy. We appreciated being part of the first stage of consultation but feel there is more substance to be added to the Strategy and its Action Programme. Celia Wade-Brown (LSA President) & Mike Mellor (Living Streets Wellington Contact) [email protected] & [email protected] (04) 383 6691 or 027 483 6691 388 8625 Contents of Submission General points and background Comments on the draft Strategy Comments on the Action Programme Examples from elsewhere Illustrations of Wellington problems Living Streets Aotearoa Inc. Objects I Note - the terms ‘walking’, ‘pedestrians’ and ‘walkers’ are generally intended to include people in wheelchairs, pushchairs and those using other mobility aids, General matters Living Streets Aotearoa (Wellington) welcomes Greater Wellington’s Walking Strategy. However, it needs more attention to the reasons why we should encourage walking. We must state up front WHY we want “more pedestrians in a convenient, safe and pleasant environment”, to make the Strategy persuasive to a broad range of stakeholders.
    [Show full text]
  • 2017ANNUAL Report
    The New Zealand Initiative ANNUAL REport 2017 The New Zealand Initiative Annual Report 2017 © The New Zealand Initiative 2018 Published by The New Zealand Initiative PO Box 10147 Wellington 6143 New Zealand www.nzinitiative.org.nz Designed by Angela Whitney, www.angelawhitney.com Printed by True North New Zealand Ltd Cover photo: Aerial of Waewaetorea Passage, Bay of Islands, New Zealand ii THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE CONTENTS Foreword 03 Future of Recreational Fishing Public Meetings 24 What We Stand For 04 Lecture – Andrew Rowland 25 Our Principles 05 Discussion – Fonterra and Switzerland 25 Our Research 08 Welfare, Work and Wellbeing Panel Discussion 26 Our Engagement 14 The Future Catch Panel Discussion 27 Engagement with Members 15 Media 29 Annual Members’ Retreat 16 Highlights of Our Year 30 Go Swiss: Business Delegation to Switzerland 19 What Others Say About Us 42 Fisheries Delegation to Western Australia 20 Our Team 44 5th Anniversary 21 Our Board 48 Amplifying Excellence Panel Discussion 22 Our Members 50 Next Generation Debates 23 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 01 “To gain a full understanding of the political and economic environment in New Zealand, it is essential to be open to ideas from all commentators. I have always included the research and reports of the New Zealand Initiative, and its predecessor, in the reading I follow so I can be confident I am being exposed to a full range of well-researched opinion and ideas.” Greg O’Connor, MP for Ōhāriu FOREWORD For us at The New Zealand Initiative, 2017 was an extra special year. We are particularly delighted that in 2017, New Zealand decided to We celebrated our fifth anniversary by producing more high-quality compensate the loss of earnings of live organ donors – a policy we had research.
    [Show full text]
  • Paddling on One Side of the Canoe Nzadds Working Paper May 2011
    Paddling on one side of the canoe?: The changing nature of New Zealand’s development assistance programme NZADDs Working Paper1 Glenn Banks: [email protected] (corresponding author); Warwick E Murray: [email protected]; John Overton: [email protected]; Regina Scheyvens: [email protected] The direction and nature of New Zealand’s aid policy has undergone a near revolution under the National Party government elected in 2008. Prior to this, NZAID, a semi-autonomous unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, had evolved to manage the aid budget in line with internationally-agreed principles on aid practice, reflecting concepts of partnership and shared responsibility, concepts analogous to the notion of paddling on both sides of the canoe. Under the new National Government, NZAID was reincorporated into the Ministry, its focus was shifted from poverty and diversified livelihoods to economic growth, and the aid programme has been aligned more closely with the country’s foreign policy interests. We suggest that this is tantamount to paddling the canoe on only one side. This paper interprets these shifts in the context of the restructuring in New Zealand international aid policy between 1970 and 2010. The article has three broad aims: Firstly, to provide an overview of shifting themes and geographies of New Zealand’s aid policy over the four decades of concern; secondly, to explore the relationship between the global aid regime and national practice commenting on the factors that lead to alignment in these two imperatives or otherwise; and thirdly, to analyse the influence of politics, and of key individuals within political parties, in setting the direction of aid policy.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2011 71
    70 Two cyclones that hit Auckland in close succession in early 2011 caused about $10m worth of damage to our roads Auckland Transport Annual Report 2011 71 SECTION 3 PEOPLE AND PARTNERS Executive Leadership Team 72 People 74 Collaborating with key partners 78 A sustainable approach 80 Progress on key projects 85 Section 3 People and Partners 72 EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM Dr David Warburton Chief Executive Before joining Auckland Transport, David was the Chief Executive for CPG NZ & Australia, and prior to that Chief Executive of Wanganui District Council. He still serves on the Whanganui District Health Board. David has a PhD in environmental engineering from Massey University and has held numerous senior management roles in the forestry, processing, packaging, property development and retail industries. Dr Kevin Doherty Chief Infrastructure Officer Most recently, Kevin held various senior leadership roles with the NZTA. Kevin led the initiation and development of the Auckland Motorway Alliance and has been integrally involved in major state highway infrastructure projects around the country. Kevin holds a Doctorate from the University of Adelaide in structural engineering and an MBA from Massey University. Fergus Gammie Chief Operating Officer Prior to joining Auckland Transport, Fergus held the role of Chief Executive of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA). Fergus worked with ARTA since its formation in 2004. He has also worked for Auckland Regional Council, and spent many years as a Transport Consultant, playing a key role in leading and developing passenger transport, travel demand management and transport consulting for businesses throughout Australasia. David Foster Chief Financial Officer Dave Foster has been a CFO for over 20 years.
    [Show full text]
  • Abortion, Euthanasia, Make Society’S Present Problems Marijuana, ‘Gender Identity’, Sex Education, Parental Worse, Not Better
    Who Values What You Value? VALUE YOURVOTE: Election 2017 As you prepare to vote in the upcoming General Election, this resource will help you vote for the politicians and parties that share your values. For more details, go to ValueYourVote.nz Family First NZ is pleased to present the 2017 Value Your Vote resource for families. Welcome to our resource Value office. This record should not take the place of your own Your Vote 2017. This is the fourth effort to evaluate the parties and candidates. We would election that we have provided this encourage all voters to make informed decisions on the popular voting resource for families. candidates’ and parties’ policies across key issues. This resource offers a limited but nevertheless important We believe that the issues of the perspective on each candidate and party in matters economy, education, health, important to families. housing, and law and order are significant. But focusing on NEW FEATURE – This election, we have asked all economics and other issues while the major parties what their official party policy is on ignoring social values will actually marriage, the anti-smacking law, abortion, euthanasia, make society’s present problems marijuana, ‘gender identity’, sex education, parental worse, not better. notification and others. In some cases, we have also based their ‘policy’ on public statements made by the Research proves that the strength leaders in the media. of marriage and family has a major impact on the strength of our nation and the rates Families deserve laws that strengthen and protect them of child poverty, child abuse, costs of welfare, and an – not ones that redefine and undermine them.
    [Show full text]